Climb gradient vs flap setting
What flap setting gives the best climb gradient (not rate of climb, but purely gradient), say on a 747? Since obstacle/noise critical departures are made with flap 10, it could be assumed flap ten gives the best gradient?
When accelerated and cleaned up, shouldn't the gradient be better than at flap 10, even though a higher speed must be maintained? (disregarding loss of climb when accelerating and cleaning up)
What I am specifically thinking of is when the SID says "Cross xyz at or above ...", say 8000 feet (from MSL), will flaps 10 get me to 8000 feet in a shorter distance (forget the wind for now), than if I clean up?